Two offers are in for 2011 OT Thurman

Offers have already begun for 6-foot-5, 295-pound offensive tackle Trip Thurman. The 2011 prospect holds two scholarships at this time and has visited a number of schools including one last weekend.

"I have two offers from Rutgers and Maryland," he said. "I got Rutgers on September 5th before I played my first game. Then, Maryland offered me about three weeks when I went down there for a game.

"Both of them are great academic schools. That's what I want to base my decision on. I'm looking to get a good degree from a good school, especially now. I also want somewhere that can take me to the next level."

Earlier this season Thurman visited both of his offers.

"The campus at Maryland is really compact and you don't have to walk everywhere, it's all right there," he said. "Rutgers was a great experience. They weren't playing a top team, but the atmosphere on campus was good and I liked when they came in and touched the statue. Both of those schools have good facilities."

Thurman is coming off a visit to Penn State this past weekend.

"I was up at the Penn State/Ohio State game," he said. "It was a great atmosphere. They have a lot of fans that come to the games."

Thurman mentioned visits to a few other schools as well this season so far including Virginia, Delaware and Delaware State.

The Dover, Delaware prospect maintains no leaders and is getting interest from a number of other colleges as well including Michigan, Wisconsin, Syracuse, Pittsburgh, Notre Dame, Duke and Illinois.

While he has no leaders, Thurman did follow a school growing up.

"As a kid I was big on Tennessee," he said. "My mom and dad both graduated from there. My dad grew up in Knoxville. I've been to a lot of games. I think I'm going to one of their games this season as well."

Thurman has helped his team to a 4-5 record this season.

"We have our last game this Friday," he said. "I'm playing pretty well. I think my footwork sticks out this year and my pass protection at left tackle.

"I'm still looking to get bigger, stronger and faster in the offseason. I want to step up to the next level."

An all-conference player as a sophomore, Thurman is still growing.

"I was a lot leaner last year," he said. "I was 6-foot, 250-pounds and I grew five inches. The doctor has told me I should reach 6-foot-6, or 6-foot-7."